Posts in category: Life Style

Whether you’re planning a proposal or recently said ‘yes,’ you might be brainstorming engagement party ideas to kick off your fiancée era. This is your moment to celebrate with your nearest and dearest, unburdened by the pressures that accompany the upcoming nuptials. Unlike the intricate process of wedding planning, an engagement party should be a notably less stressful experience. You should see an engagement party as a fun way to start your celebrations on a high note and bring together friends and family who might join you along your wedding journey.

Ahead, we round up unique engagement party ideas to help you get inspired for your own pre-nuptial fête. From cocktail parties to fun activities, see a few ways to make the most of your engagement season.

A surprise post-engagement celebration

No need to wait a few weeks or months to celebrate your engagement. If you’re planning a proposal (and are 100% sure your partner will accept), consider following up getting down on one knee with a surprise party full of your closest circle. This event can be big or small, but it’s a great way to ride the proposal high and bring together your favourite people. If your family or a best friend lives far away, you might have them fly in for an extra-special surprise.

Dinner party

Rather than fully adhering to the dinner party wedding trend, consider treating your loved ones to an elegant sit-down soirée. Another option would be to invite your close friends to a private dining experience at a restaurant of your choosing. Take it to the next level and collaborate with the staff to curate a personalised set menu—or simply open a tab if you’re looking for a more relaxed vibe.

Pool party

Who doesn’t love a good poolside bash? Guests can take a dip, soak up the sun and lounge by the water. A theme is always fun: opt for a tropical aesthetic, complete with crowd-pleasing margaritas and piña coladas. Keep things refreshing with boozy popsicles as a sweet treat, and don’t forget to have some baskets around stocked with sun essentials—think sunscreen, pool towels and sunglasses.

“I do” BBQ

The “I do” BBQ is a classic engagement party idea, and one that requires minimal party planning for the couple who prefers a laid-back yet tasteful affair. Ideal for the spring and summer seasons, it’s also easy to tailor to your surroundings, be it an indoor grill, communal rooftop or a full backyard setup. For cocktails, keep it simple with spiked lemonade pitchers and a well-stocked beer tub. Don’t forget the ice and the vegetarian options to balance out the burgers and hot dogs. Add a personal touch with a signature BBQ sauce, French fry bar or a make-your-own ice cream station. You can check out Pinterest for further inspiration.

Costume party

Halloween isn’t the only time of year you can dress up—and a costume party can also serve as the perfect front for a surprise engagement announcement if you’ve kept it under wraps. If going for full-on costumes isn’t your style, a subtle engagement party theme can be just as lively. Perhaps, a throwback to a Roaring Twenties speakeasy, complete with Champagne towers, a live jazz band and a list of Prohibition-inspired signature cocktails. If you feel like donning ’70s threads, a roller disco might be just the groovy ticket; or, for an air of mystery and opulence, a murder mystery masquerade.

Movie night

If you’re a pair of film buffs, host a movie night for your entourage. Transform your abode into a home cinema by renting a projector and popcorn machine. You could also make it a pyjama-themed party and encourage your guests to come in comfy PJs.

Whether you opt for an indoor theatre or a snug, outdoor setup, the ambience is key. Enhance the cosy feel with plush blankets, a wide selection of beverages and, of course, movie theatre candy. Choose an all-time classic or romcom for the main feature, or showcase your own collection of cherished home videos and photos for that extra personal touch. It’s the perfect excuse to be cheesy, after all.

Champagne brunch

A late-morning affair is a particularly chic idea for your engagement party, à la Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Serve bottomless Champagne and mimosas, with an indulgent spread of yoghurt parfaits, French toast and Eggs Benedict. Tailor the brunch to your personality and guest list—do you prefer an intimate sit-down brunch or a breakfast buffet? How about an afternoon tea-style brunch instead? In that case, ditch the booze and treat your guests to an assortment of teas, alongside finger sandwiches, scones and pastries.

Potluck picnic

Whether in your own backyard or a local park, a picnic is a wholesome get-together for the low-maintenance couple. Craft a delectable cheese board, adorned with a selection of charcuterie, sandwiches and lemonade for beverages. Skip the live band; grab your speaker and set the mood with your specially curated Spotify playlist.

A lightbulb moment can often echo throughout one’s life, with every subsequent experience mirroring that realisation. A corollary of the Baader-Meinhof phenomenon, perhaps. I rewatched Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani when it was re-released in theatres earlier this year, and a scene from the 2013 romcom struck a chord with me. When Bunny, played by Ranbir Kapoor, urges Naina, played by Deepika Padukone, to hurry so they don’t miss a light-and-sound show, she responds that if they leave, they’ll miss the sunset. She emphasises that you’ll always miss something, so it’s important to savour the moment you’re in.

I’ve planned several trips to Udaipur over the last few years. None of which materialised. They either withered away in group chats or lost out to more trendy destinations. Eventually, my first actual trip to this bucket-list destination was the result of an invite from Jaypore—the artisan-forward brand bringing the country’s handlooms to the forefront—to explore the art of dabu printing, a 500-year-old resist-printing technique practised in Rajasthan.

My first few days there, I explored the city on my own. My days were spent wandering through the Udaipur City Palace; browsing the handcrafted bags and embroidered jackets at Ganesh Emporium, curated by Vipul Shah; or watching the sun set into the water at Gangaur Ghat. I even bought a classic miniature painting with intricate detailing and signature vibrant colours, shopped at Hathi Pol bazaar and dined at rooftop restaurants. These were the days when I saw the Udaipur I’d always imagined, full of rich history, grand palaces and shimmering lakes. But it’s when I learned about the craft of dabu printing that I truly felt connected to the soul of the city and everything it offers.

My discovery began at Aavaran, a textile printing hub led by Alka Sharma that has worked in collaboration with Jaypore since 2020. The atelier focuses on reviving and sustaining the centuries-old dabu printing technique. Despite being someone who has studied fashion and reads about textiles every other day, this was my first time experiencing the block-printing technique up close. I was locked in.

Best for: City dwellers seeking glow, defence and zero greasiness.

Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen (Unscented) SPF 50+ PA++++

Built around fermented black rice (a rich antioxidant) and niacinamide, this unscented sunscreen offers quiet, calming care in a silky, cloud-light base. It’s alcohol-free, fragrance-free and made for skin that flinches at the wrong product. The finish is undetectable.

Best for: Reactive, dry or dull skin that needs hydration without perfume or filler.

Augustinus Bader The Sunscreen SPF 50

Powered by the brand’s cult TFC8® complex, amino acids, peptides and a PhD-level understanding of skin healing, this luxe SPF helps repair damage while it protects. The texture is satin-smooth, the formula is fragrance-free, and the long-term payoff is visibly stronger, more resilient skin.

Best for: Mature, post-treatment or barrier-compromised skin looking for sunscreen with real skin science behind it.

Axis-Y Complete No-Stress Physical Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++

This zinc-based mineral sunscreen is the opposite of chalky or cloying. With calming mugwort, niacinamide and squalane, it targets sensitivity and oil imbalance while sitting weightlessly on the skin.

Best for: Acne-prone, sensitive or combination skin that reacts to everything else.

Lancôme UV Expert Aqua Gel SPF 50 PA++++

A triple-threat in a featherlight gel, this sunscreen moonlights as a hydrating primer and pollution shield. Glycerin and Edelweiss smooth skin, while the refreshing texture disappears on contact. Bonus: it subtly blurs the skin, so you get the UV armour, plus a soft-focus finish.

Best for: Skin that wears SPF under makeup, and demands more than just sun protection.

Estée Lauder Perfectionist Pro Multi-Defense Aqua UV Gel SPF 50 PA++++

This gel-cream is a fortifying forcefield. With antioxidants like green tea, ferulic acid, vitamin C and E, it’s built to protect from more than just the sun but also smog, blue light and daily wear-and-tear. It hydrates for up to 8 hours and sinks in like skincare, not SPF.

Best for: Normal to dry skin showing early signs of stress or fatigue, or anyone serious about preventive ageing.

Dr Sheth’s Ceramide & Vitamin C Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA+++

Created with Indian skin tones and tropical climates in mind, this creamy SPF blends a stable vitamin C derivative with ceramides to brighten, soothe and strengthen in equal measure. It layers easily under makeup and doesn’t sting on sensitised skin

Best for: Dull, uneven, city-stressed skin that needs both luminosity and repair.

Pyunkang Yul Moisture Soothing Sun Cream

This hybrid sunscreen combines physical and chemical filters to deliver effective UV protection. Enriched with centella asiatica extract, ceramides, and green tea, it calms irritation and reinforces the skin barrier. The lightweight, lotion-like texture absorbs smoothly without leaving a white cast, making it suitable for daily use.

Best for: Sensitive or dry skin types seeking gentle sun protection with added moisturising benefits.

Also read:

11 summer perfumes for hot days and cool nights

11 cleansers for oily skin that will beat the grease

How to tell if your sunscreen has gone bad, according to the experts

From the outside looking in, yoga might seem like a gentle, relaxing discipline, more calming breathwork than a core workout. But the right yoga pose can work the body with more precision and intensity than the most punishing gym class. One posture, in particular, has earned high marks from both research and experienced instructors: navasana, or boat pose.

A study from Auburn University in Montgomery placed navasana among the most effective core exercises across yoga and Pilates alike. In fact, renowned yoga teacher Sharath Jois once claimed that holding the pose for 25 breaths—broken into five-breath rounds with rests in between—can rival the effects of doing 100 traditional sit-ups.

Beyond aesthetics, navasana builds deep, functional strength. “This classic stabilisation posture tones the abdominal muscles, hip flexors, glutes, pelvic muscles and back,” explains yoga instructor José Martín Fernández. “By engaging the core, it also stimulates the abdominal organs, aiding digestion and supporting metabolic health.” Yoga teacher Xua Lang also notes that, in addition to strengthening the core, back and arms, this yoga pose can help burn abdominal fat.

La postura del barco de yoga es muy efectiva para fortalecer el abdomen y favorecer la concentración.Illustration by África Pitarch

A cortisol-lowering core move? Yes, please

As with many yoga postures, the benefits go beyond the body. “Balancing and holding the body steady in boat pose can help build willpower and self-confidence,” Fernández says. It’s also a subtle stress-reliever: a 2023 study published in Biomedicine found that regular yoga and meditation significantly lowered cortisol levels in medical students over six weeks. Stabilisation postures like navasana demand focus, breath control and internal awareness—all of which help calm the nervous system and regulate stress responses.

Boat pose trains your brain, too

Since navasana is an isometric hold that requires balance and coordination, it also supports cognitive function. “Balance work is incredibly beneficial for the brain,” says Diana Gil of Solid Studio. “It sharpens concentration and strengthens the neuromuscular connection between breath, core and pelvic floor. Plus, it’s challenging and fun.”

How to practise navasana properly

Start seated with your legs extended. Bend your knees and lift your feet off the floor, eventually straightening the legs into a V shape if possible. Keep your spine long, chest open and arms reaching forward. Gaze slightly upwards and engage the core to stabilise. For a gentler variation, keep the knees bent. Hold for 5 to 10 deep breaths, then cross the legs, rest the feet, and repeat up to five rounds.

Cosmic tip: You have healed from your past enough. Now step into your new timeline.

You may be feeling nudges to do more, to go in a certain direction and to perhaps even make changes to your wardrobe, your furniture, your location, your home, your mindset, even your relationships. And this is your sign that the cosmos is aligning you with quantum shifts that you have been waiting for, but are now ready to slip into. The situation you are asking about may have more facets than you can imagine, and hello, you don’t need to have it all figured out. In fact, off it may not even be your business. So get back on track, focus on what you have on your plate and know that your dessert will be served soon.

Cosmic tip: What you are waiting for will happen soon.

What if the Universe were not testing you? What if it was indeed teaching you a little bit about patience, love and holding your ground amidst chaos? Much like a child throwing a tantrum for candy may not always know what is best for them, the cosmos perhaps wants you to remember that not all you think you want may be what you want. And here comes the main part – perhaps you are gifted, perhaps you are meant to do what you really want to do, but also, perhaps you need to find the courage within your heart to leap and lead. Your enthusiasm about a task actually defines the energy that is poured into it, not your preparation. This is a time to lead with purpose.

Cosmic tip: Conquer your fears by focusing on your gifts.

When you enter the cosmic cave akin to a mother’s womb, you realise that all the universe wants for you is what a mother wants for her child – the best. Aquarius, today, take a moment to count the number of ways in which your guardians, caretakers and parents have been there for you, even if they have not in many other ways. This will unlock your switch to your answered prayers and abundant destiny. It may not always be that we have the best we feel we need, but surely, everything cannot be lost, no?

Cosmic tip: Accept that most often others do as best they can. Then, simply, move on.

Simplicity is gold, Pisces. Put your energy into the basics and allow yourself to soar high with what truly matters. If you’ve been looking at your life glass half empty, perhaps it may be time to pause and look at it as half full? It is only when we decide to acknowledge what we have that we begin bringing in more of what we want. Sometimes things go exactly our way, and some other items go another way, and what’s important to remember is that it is okay for it to be just the way it is, at least most often. The more you allow Source to intervene with divine timing, the more you will begin flowing with life.

Cosmic tip: When you let go of the excess, you recognise the value of your existing rock-solid foundation.

Simply put, you don’t have to be a part of the herd to be considered cool online. You can be the black sheep rolling down the hill while the shepherd rounds up the others. Below, 10 examples of propaganda I’m not falling for—and you shouldn’t either.

Bad texters

In my book, “Sorry, I’m just bad at texting” translates to “Sorry, you’re not a priority to me”. What irks me is not the fact that I’m not high up on someone’s list of priorities, but the lazy excuse of being bad at texting. Texting in itself is pretty straightforward—unless you’re a boomer or beyond, and even that isn’t an excuse, if the enthusiasm with which my mother responds is anything to go by. Typing out a typical text message takes less than 30 seconds (yes, I timed it), plus we don’t have to deal with issuing stamps, hunting for a postbox or whatever the letter-writing generation used to do. So I’d rather not hear it.

Abs in two weeks

Sure, it’s tempting to buy into this deception when you’re just a couple of weeks away from that beach vacation or your bestie’s wedding. Let me tell you that the only inspiring thing about ‘abs in two weeks’ tutorials is the instructor’s consummate confidence as they lie through their teeth for two weeks’ worth of views. While consistency will no doubt expedite your fitness journey, expecting abs to show up in two weeks is like hoping a cat won’t tip over that glass of water if you glare at them: futile. Muscle definition depends on various factors—weight, genetics, food intake and metabolism—for which a universal time limit cannot and should not be placed.

Split-toe and FiveFinger shoes

This monstrosity hopefully speaks for itself. I saw somebody wearing FiveFinger shoes at the gym the other day, and I physically recoiled. Every time I come across these jump scares, one simple question comes to my mind: why? They might be useful in aiding mobility and balance, but even then, they only provide a jarring reminder of the fact that we evolved from apes. Quite frankly, they just freak me out.

Nuts in food

Nuts are great, but only on their own. They simply do not belong in cooked meals. I’d rather stay hungry than eat butter chicken garnished with cashews. Even in chocolates and desserts, they add nothing but an unpleasant crunch at best and pose as a lousy lure to make people consume these sweets under the pretence of providing some nutritional value. There’s a time and place for everything, and for nuts, it’s at the start of the day, in their own separate container.

Standing floor tickets at concerts

Call me uncool for wanting to sit during a three-hour concert and see the performer from further away instead of paying more to wait in a long queue all day, just to be pushing my way through a suffocating crowd as I try to sneak a peek at the stage. Holding floor tickets might be great if you’re tall enough to find an opening of clean air to breathe in and can see past the barricades. But if you’re a meagre 5’2” like me and stuck behind someone who looms over you like a pine tree, craning your neck to see the artist will most certainly lead you to a stranger’s smelly armpit. I may love the artist on stage, but I also deeply cherish my personal well-being.

Poetry books as a recreational read

To clarify, I find poetry to be elegant and admire poets for their intelligence in giving shape to their thoughts through this medium. Still, I struggle to be convinced when people claim to read poetry for leisure. This dissatisfaction might stem from the hours I spent unpacking every word of a page-long poem in high school and college. The only thing I was certain about in those classes was that the poet definitely did not think of all the interpretations that my classmates came up with through that seemingly never-ending hour. Naturally, I fail to understand why anyone would prefer to read these abstract blocks of text rather than getting engrossed in a crime or romance novel.

Feeling ashamed for being recognised as a ‘tourist’

Whenever my friends and I are wandering around a new city taking pictures, at least one of them will look around embarrassedly and say, “We look like such tourists!” Well, yes, we do… because we are. Of course, it’s great to get a feel of the local life when visiting a place, but I don’t consider myself cool enough to visit Paris and not see the Eiffel Tower, even if it is a tourist trap. I’m sure there are several other special spots, but I don’t understand the insistence on pretending like I know a new city like the back of my hand. When I spot visitors at the Gateway of India or the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus in Mumbai, I refuse to judge them because it’s so wholesome to see them marvelling at landmarks I casually pass on my way to work.

Big friend groups

It’s great to have a ton of friends. But when everybody starts hanging out together and each person tries to build a personal rapport with every other person, things get fuzzy. You know that big, slightly unbearable group of friends you come across at your workspace or in your social spheres? The one that pretends to be family and meets up weekly, but even as an outsider, you can see the abundance of gossip, competition and drama spilling through? Those are the friend groups I’m wary of. I may sound unreasonably cynical, but you couldn’t make me believe that every person in this group of 15+ friends gets along perfectly with everyone. The math just doesn’t math. It would just be so much better—both for members of the group and those forcefully subjected to their false camaraderie—if they dropped this façade and spent their weekends with people they actually like.

Hating on pop music

Have we ever considered that things sometimes become mainstream because they are good and appeal to a large majority of people? Watching those around me bash songs for no other reason than the fact that they were ‘generic’ used to send me down long lists of niche playlists to source music by some diamond-in-the-rough artist. While I did find a few tracks I enjoyed, many of the songs I downloaded were simply to feel less embarrassed when I handed over my phone to the friend who was controlling the AUX. Over time and after a desperate attempt to see the value in this hate, I succumbed to the popular phrase: “If you can’t beat them, join them.” So what if something is widely liked? I’m happy to be part of a statistic instead of faking a mysterious personality.

Being fashionably late

When I get invited to dinner at 8pm, I don’t want to have to overthink whether that genuinely means 8pm or later. And if later, how much later? Are we talking about a casual 8:15pm or straight-up past 9 pm? And in that case, should I free up the other later plans I was intending to see through? I appreciate straightforwardness, and this trend of being ‘fashionably late’ unnecessarily complicates a simple invite. People not running on time don’t appear cool or busy. They just seem disrespectful of those hungry at the table, itching to order.

I’m a fan of a good jelly shoe, but even I wasn’t prepared for the rabbithole you tumble into when hunting for the perfect monsoon jelly shoe. What started as a quick scroll turned into, “Do I want practical? sparkly? Prada? PVC?” Jellies have range—who knew?

If you’ve ever stepped out in the rainy season wearing a pair of leather loafers, only to watch them wilt and bubble like wet cardboard, you know the heartbreak. A soggy sock inside a drenched canvas shoe is a mood-killer like no other. This is where the humble jelly steps in—waterproof, wipe-clean and oddly chic, it’s the shoe equivalent of a raincoat you actually want to wear.

Consider this your monsoon survival kit—no squeaky soles, no mouldy heels, just a selection of sandals that can handle a downpour and still look like you planned the whole outfit. You know the saying, the proof is in the pudding. In this case, it’s in the puddle. So let’s dive into 14 monsoon-ready jelly shoes that deliver on both function and fashion.

1. Melissa Farah – AD in Pink

Courtesy of the brand

A meal cooked by a lover is the ultimate way of showing they care, be it an old lady cooking chicken soup for her sickly grandson, a mum making a ham sandwich for her heartbroken daughter, or a neighbour sharing her leftover lardy cake with the lonely man next door (I doubt this last scenario has occurred since the 1950s, but I like to imagine that it does).

So, being cooked for by someone else is always a nice feeling, but being cooked for by a lover simply hits different, even if the food is bad. I fear the Netflix and chill movement means that romantic, home-cooked meals are less common. Instead of your beau slaving over a candlelit supper, your beau now scrolls through Zomato. Why would he cook when he can get 2-for-1 on pizza with a side of sticky-finger chicken wings and a volcanically large bottle of fizzy pop? All of that delicious salt and processed meat? Followed by a bangathon and some TV? I understand the appeal, I must admit.

But if, on the off chance, a lover does cook for you, you should take note of just how special it is. Likewise, if you get the opportunity to cook for them, you should savour that sweet little look of “feeling loved” it paints across their face.

When I was 18 and in my first relationship, my boyfriend made me his famous Thai chicken curry. Him being a posh suburban white lad with no experience of cooking (or eating) good Thai food, the outcome was… diabolical. Stodgy clumps of rice swam across my plate, drowning in a sea of tepid and bland “green” curry. The coconut cream was not cooked out, the heat was non-existent, the Thai basil was still in the shop he hadn’t gone to, the chicken was tough and the presentation was grotesque. But my God, this meal was heavenly. This dish was more than a plate of food, it was a symbol of his commitment, his dedication, his love for me. I gobbled up every last chunk of grey chicken, and it’s still one of the best Thai curries I’ve ever had: my stomach satiated by love, not flavour.

In my twenties, I had an affair with an older man, and after a particularly spectacular night of corporate rumpy pumpy, I woke to the smell of toast. I stumbled into the kitchen and found that he’d gone all out and prepared a full brunch spread: eggs, fruit, smoked salmon, pastries, farmers market bread and good coffee. He had this fancy contraption to make coffee, which I now know to be a cafetière. I was violently hungover, and when I saw the extensive display, it overwhelmed me. As I slept, he had gone out and sourced the ingredients, brought them home and prepared them—for me! I imagined him whisking the eggs, like a handsome Julia Child. I went to the bathroom to puke, but I did it silently so he wouldn’t know. Against the odds, I kept it all down. My stomach was hungry not for his food, but for his love.

Bleach is a shift. In tone, in texture, in how your hair behaves. It softens the colour but hardens the upkeep. Which is why post-bleach hair care becomes a different kind of ritual altogether.

Whether it’s a crisp platinum, a honeyed highlight or a careful balayage, bleach leaves behind more than just lightness. It alters the hair’s internal structure; its ability to hold moisture, withstand heat and stay intact. The gloss might still be there, but the resilience? Not always.

Which is why post-bleach hair care is about adaptation. Shifting routines, adjusting expectations and learning to work with hair that may now be drier, finer and more reactive than before.

There’s no list of miracle fixes. But for anyone learning to live with bleached hair that needs a little more care, these can help ease the process. With the right post-bleach hair routine, your mane can still be soft and resilient.

Understand the scene

Before you rebuild, you need to reassess. Bleaching hair physically alters the hair’s internal structure. It opens the cuticle, dissolves melanin in the cortex and often leaves strands porous, dry and weakened.

In British Vogue, Alexandra Brownsell, co-founder of Bleach London, notes that bleach affects the bonds within the hair that give it strength and structure. Once these are broken, hair becomes more vulnerable to breakage, dryness and long-term damage.

This isn’t surface-level wear and tear, it’s internal. Which is why repair starts from within, not just with what coats the outside.

Build the repair routine

Bleached hair doesn’t bounce back with a one-time fix. Repair is gentle, consistent care over time.
Start with bond-building. While conditioners coat and soften, bond-repair products work deeper to help restore the broken connections inside the strand. They’re not a cure-all, but they lay the groundwork for long-term strength.

Relearn how to wash your hair

Post-bleach hair care needs minimal disruption. A gentle, sulphate-free shampoo and hydrating conditioner need to be on your shelf as you focus on hydration to help maintain the health and appearance of bleached hair.

But do it less often than you would with unbleached hair. Frequent washing can strip moisture, disrupt your hair’s natural oils.

Based on the season, you may want to try ending your post-bleach hair care routine with a cold water rinse. “Washing your hair with cold water helps with closing your cuticle after the wash. This also has the added benefit of helping, along with your haircare products, to make your hair look strong and shiny, and who doesn’t want that?” celebrity hairstylist Florian Hurel told Vogue India.

Bring back the slip

Bleached hair behaves like dehydrated skin: rough, tight, dull and prone to cracks. Deeply moisturising masks can bring back the softness and smooth texture of your hair. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid to boost hydration, panthenol to improve elasticity and ceramides to strengthen the hair’s barrier and lock in moisture.

Prep before exposure

Bleached hair is more vulnerable to everyday stress—sun, salt, chlorine, even your styling routine. As NYC-based colourist Natalie Rotger told Vogue India, “Salt water and chlorine can create mineral build-up on the hair which can alter the intended tone.” To prevent that, rinse your hair with clean water before and after swimming, and use a leave-in conditioner to act as a protective buffer. Covering your hair when you’re outdoors for long periods doesn’t hurt either.

Don’t overlook the scalp

Bleach can irritate the scalp, too. Over time, this impacts hair growth, strength and lustre. Keep the scalp clean but not stripped. A weekly scalp massage with lightweight oils or serums can boost circulation and calm inflammation.

Also read:

Why a cold water rinse is the hair care tip every hairstylist swears by

Why argan oil is considered “the liquid gold” of hair care

What blonde hair taught me about myself

Cosmic tip: Ask yourself what the core things you wish to address in the short and long term, and only focus on those for a while.

You have gone deep into your learning and growth process, and here you are – emerging not only victorious, but also beginning to feel like life has begun happening for you. This wish-fulfilment stage in your life is here to stay, but you must also know how to care for it. Staying humble is first on the checklist, followed by staying enthusiastic and approaching each day as if it were your first and last, and getting out there doing your thing with like-minded folks and party invites. Leo, maintaining a fine balance between learning, sowing and reaping all with utmost humility is your game plan, okay?

Cosmic tip: Each day you get to go back to school, life’s school, where there is always something new that awaits to be unfolded.

Get your freak on! Virgo, you know you can be a crazy one, and it is time to get that bizarre, eccentric, quirky streak online. You know that moment when you are just about to jump off for your skydive experience? It’s not just adrenaline, it is the choice and willingness to give something exhilarating a shot. This is that moment in time for you. Stopo, pause, reflect, integrate and decide to jump off the cliff whenever you are ready, but make it quick if possible. You are in for the ride of your life, and hello, you know you are going to love it!

Cosmic tip: Instead of judging a book by its cover, why not read it to understand if you like it?

A sense of lack or worried vibes may have filled your life recently, Libra, and it may have pushed you to your limits. However, here you are – turning the wheel of fortune in your favour, where everything you touch is defined, meaningful and turns to instant gold – be it your work, relationships or anything else. Your persistence, hard work, faith and courage have led you to this point where things begin to sail smoothly. New support and resources come forward in unexpected ways, and your intuition? Well,l it has not spoken more clearly in a long time! What are you waiting for?